“War created bizarre allies, while peace itself could be divisive.”

“[About a tiresome colleague]: He could bore for Scotland.”

“You wouldn't think you could kill an ocean, would you? But we'll do it one day. That's how negligent we are.”

“Rebus drank his coffee and felt his head spin. He was feeling like the detective in a cheap thriller, and wished that he could turn to the last page and stop all his confusion, all the death and the madness and the spinning in his ears.”

“Chialer, c'était bon quand on perdait au foot, qu'on vous racontait des histoires d'animaux héroïques, ou en entendant "Flower of Scotland" après l'heure de fermeture.”

“I am reading Ian Rankins book Doors Open and am enjoying his dark Edinburgh narrative will rate soon once I have read it. I am also a fan of Jane Austen and have visited her Museum House in Chawton, Hampshire every year for the last three years. My Favourite book is Sense and Sensibility.”

“There are worse forms of prostitution than whoring.-Inspector John Rebus”